Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan arrested again after being sentenced to three years in jail
Police have arrested Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan after a court sentenced the opposition leader to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts.
Legal experts say the guilty verdict reached by a district court could end Mr Khan’s chances of contesting national elections that have to be held before early November.
Lahore’s Police Chief Bilal Siddique Kamiana confirmed the arrest and told Reuters the politician was being transferred to the capital, Islamabad.
Mr Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said in a statement they had already filed another appeal to the Supreme Court earlier on Saturday.
His lawyer said they would file a petition against the arrest in high court.t
The conviction came just a day after Pakistan’s high court had temporarily halted the district court trial. It was not immediately clear why the trial had proceeded despite the high court decision.
Khan’s arrest and detention for several days in May over a separate case had sparked intense political turmoil and deadly clashes had erupted between Khan supporters and police.
(This story is being updated)
